Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all 4th November 2011

Young People Take Over Parliament and Call on Public to Back their Cause…

‘Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all’

325 young people took over the House of Commons chamber and called on the public to back their campaign to “Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all.” An online petition will now be launched to get 100,000 signatures for the Government to take up the cause with a full debate by MPs in Parliament.

Jamie Davies from UK Youth Parliament led the transport debate:

“Transport has been raised as a concern for young people by the UK Youth Parliament since it was established in 2001, consistently and continually over the last ten years. Yet too often we are happily accepted as adults when it comes to parting with our pounds, but then treated like kids when it comes to having our voices heard.

Over 65,000 young people already back our cause but they are too young to petition parliament itself. Therefore we are asking the public to support our campaign with an online petition so that the Government and MPs sit up and take notice. It is all about what we can do now, to help the young people of today and the young people of tomorrow to make a better future for all.”

Editor Notes:-

1. UK Youth Parliament has unique use of the House of Commons chamber. In 2010 MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of MYPs sitting in the chamber for one day each year for the life of the current parliament. In 2011 over 65,000 young people voted to choose the debates in the House of Commons.

2. There are 325 young people taking part, half young women. The youngest taking part is 12 years old.

3. It is presided over by the Speaker John Bercow, introduced by the Leader of the House Sir George Young MP and Shadow Leader Angela Eagle MP. Other politicians will be there to respond, including Children’s Minister Tim Loughton MP and Chair of the Backbench Committee Natascha Engel MP.

4. It is part of Parliament Week, a national initiative to raise awareness of Parliament and engagement in the democratic systems.